From www.politico.com
Just how 'political' is Glenn Beck?
Glenn Beck says there’s nothing political about the Aug. 28th rally in Washington he’s organizing with a veterans group and which he has named "Restoring Honor."
But Sarah Palin will be a main speaker, congressmen such as Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) are helping with fundraising and two of the main engineers of the tea party movement – FreedomWorks and Tea Party Patriots – are offering volunteers as well as logistical advice.
The rally and Beck’s increasing political forays have made him an object of suspicion among some conservatives, even as they acknowledge his influence and potential importance as a spokesman.
"The conservative movement is still split on Glenn and whether he’s doing it for himself or doing it for the movement," said Erick Erickson, founder of the influential conservative blog Red State.
...I almost tinkle in my undies. Erick is hilariously funny when he seriously wonders whether Glenn Beck is in "the movement" for his personal gain. I guess his comedic skills is one of the factors that landed him the gig at CNN.
Glenn Beck is still the same Glenn Beck who started his "career" in show business as an early morning drive time shock jock. Only he dresses better, has a bigger audience, and makes a shitload more money. Beck is a huckster, a charlatan, flim-flam man, a grifter, a conman, and above all a consummate actor. He is the 21st century's real life version of Elmer Gantry. He rants and raves, howls and moans, croons and whines, cries and sobs...all with exquisite timing. And of course he is complimented by Sarah Palin as his Sister Falconer. They're both out there working the yokels for all they are worth. To paraphrase James Carville: "It's the money, stupid".
He is so sure of the idiocy and gullibility of his audience that he is not even afraid to walk right up to the camera and tell them that he's a rodeo clown and buffoon on pay-per-view. So you just keep a-wondering there Mr. Erickson. I'm sure sooner or later you'll figure it out.